Whenever conditions allow, we love chasing bonefish on foot, and we’re really lucky to do so a lot on South Andros.
Wading for bonefish is not only super fun, but its also a great way to creep up on wary fish that might otherwise be difficult to reach from the boat – that is of course, if you ‘creep‘ up on them quiet enough!
Walking quietly is critical as even the slightest splash can spook a fish within casting distance. Therefore, how you walk can make a huge difference, and today we’re going to give you a super simple tip to help awaken your inner flats-ninja.
When wading in water roughly a foot or deeper (deep enough to easily cover the tops of your wading boots), on each forward step, lift your toes and slide your foot forward under the surface of the water. This will allow for three distinct advantages.
- The bottom of your foot will travel parallel to the bottom, making your foot more hydrodynamic as it moves forward, pushing less water that might otherwise spook fish.
- It keeps your foot under the surface, keeping it from continually ‘cannon-balling’ through the surface tension of the water on each step which can make a lot of noise.
- It allows your foot to land flat on the bottom, spreading out the surface area of your foot, reducing the chance of sliding into a hole in the coral or other uneven spots on the bottom. Something that can happen much easier when your toe is pointed straight down.
While we’re well aware that we don’t have to teach anyone how to walk, many experienced anglers will attest that there is some technique to wading effectively! Give this little tip a try, we think you’ll appreciate it.
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